LA Times Festival of Books (Year 2) Part 2

If You Saw Part 1 of this, then you know a couple weeks ago, I attended The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books and here is where I pick up on Part 2 of My Day at the festival...


Last year, I was suppose to see Maureen Johnson, Maggie Stiefvater and Melissa DeLaCruz in a panel, but I was sick and couldn't see them. Luckily in the past year, Maggie Stiefvater and Melissa DeLaCruz did other appearances and I got to meet them, but Maureen Johnson eluded me! So, I was really excited for this panel. This Panel had Melissa De La Cruz, Maureen Johnson, Katherine Marsh and Lisa McMann and Narrated By Ransom Riggs.

Sorry, for the poor photo quality.  The panel was very funny. They each talked about their newest books, Gates of Paradise, The Madness Underneath, Jepp Who Defied The Stars and Crash. Melissa DeLaCruz's excerpt surprised me, because it kinda gives away a huge plot line in the series. But it was cool too, also it was funny hearing that she forgot actually how her book originally ended and had to go back through her notes to remember.  Maureen Johnson's excerpt was funny (of course) Having to do with Rory and Alistair. During this time one of the signs on the posters behind them fell and they joked that is was Alistair and he wasn't amused. Katherine Marsh began with describing how her book came to be, which was REALLY interesting and I look forward to reading it because it is definitely not a common concept. Lisa McMann's reading also set  the plot of the book, and I am excited to read Crash as well.

A lot of ?'s were asked and it was interesting to hear the author different and same answers.  They talked about the themes of their books. 

Melissa De La Cruz: saying that hers is in the names of her titles

 Katherine Marsh: Fate  

Lisa McMann: She really didn't know. That was my favorite answer because, it is totally me. She just writes, if you see a theme great, but she doesn't write with one in mind. 

Maureen Johnson:discussed how she didn't like when students emailed her, asking for the theme of her book. Mainly, cause they are usually doing it was a school project and are just being lazy. So in response she sends them bogus responses like the theme being about artisan cheese making and such.

They discussed their writing process.. 

Melissa DeLaCruz: Outlines. She writes everything down that she needs to know.

Maureen Johnson: Likes to Leroy Jenkins It. This Got A Few Laughs. If you Don't Know what that is, youtube it.. It is HILARIOUS.

Katherine Marsh and Lisa McMann: Both said they don't outline. 

 

Someone asked the difference Between Young Adult and Adult and all the authors pretty much said the same thing. They don't feel there is a difference, except that the characters are younger. 

Towards the end, things got interesting when a girl asked If there were any original plot lines left?" They way see worded it was pretty insulting, almost like she was saying the the authors books weren't original. To be fair, I don't think she meant it in that way. But it obviously, bothered the authors. You could tell, cause the tone in their voices changed. Their answers were pretty clear too. Yes, there are still original plot lines left.

That concluded the Q&A portion and then it became.. BOOK SIGNING Time!

I usually get extremely nervous around Authors but it was pretty easy to talk to Maureen Johnson. She complimented my shirt "I'm Not A Player I Just Blog A Lot" and she said she hoped I liked her book and If I didn't I could just lie. Which we discussed that, that is the best way to form a relationship and then we took a picture together. I really think this may be my favorite author picture thus far. 

And Here Is My Signed Books, Books I bought and Bookmarks I got from my day at LATFOB

And I CANNOT Wait For Next Year!

LA Times Festival of Books (Year 2) Part 1

So, Every year the Los Angeles Times has a 2 day event called The Festival of Books! Which is pretty much the biggest book event that occurs in LA and as far as I am aware pretty much the only one.  I attended last years event but could only attend Day 1 since I became sick for Day 2.  Day 1 was a great day though, where I got to attend an event with John Green and a panel for Libba Bray and Pete Hautman....and I just realized The Post I wrote for this is MISSING, will have to write a follow up post then!

Anyways,  for a whole year.. I have been anticipating going to the LA Times Festival of Books. Endlessly checking the website to see who would be attending and getting my Mom and Husband ready to attend. Once they announced the panel lists. I sat down and plotted what I was going to attend. To say the least I was excited. Then Day 1 comes and I am sick! I was bummed but not too worried because a few days before I learned the panels sold out early (this did not happen last year) However, I would not miss day 2 I had tickets to one panel, with Maureen Johnson on it and I had missed her panel last year, so I was determined to go!

Day 2

So, Day 2 arrives and My mother and I make a way over to the USC Campus, We park and embark on our adventure to the YA Area. We get there early enough that I have time to wander and look at all the booths. Something we didn't really do last time.

As we enter The YA Area they had the WB had the Batmobile on display, because although it is the YA section, Warner Brothers studios kind of dominates the area with movie stuff. It was pretty cool seeing the recent Batmobile, since I had just the previous night watched the most recent movie.

By this point it was crazy crowded and very hot. So, my mom sneaked off to a courtyard to relax in the shade and get something to eat, while I wonder a small section of the YA section. I say small because like I mentioned before it was effing HOT and crowded and frankly, it was giving me anxiety. I passed one booth. Once Upon A Time (a book store) at that time they were holding a book signing. I didn't recognize the authors names (this happens often with me) but I did recognize the book covers and titles of one author Elizabeth Eulberg. So, I went into the cafe and asked my Mom for some money.

SIDE BAR: Yes, I am 23 and Married. You may have noticed though that I attend a lot of these book events with my Mom and that My Mom buys A LOT of my books for me. There are several reasons for this. My Mom sometimes buys books for me, just because and other times I ask. But, my Mom is also my Boss and she knows what I get paid. Which at the moment is enough to cover bills and food. 

As, we were in the cafe my Mom and I were now in line, getting some food and drinks when and man and a women walk in. I immediately notice that the women is not only REALLY pretty, REALLY skinny. Something I did say out loud. They May have heard me. The man noticed a bag a women was carrying behind us and my Mom and I turned to glance at it. Finding it amusing, the bag and that the man noticed the bag, since Our Company is Backpacks... So, we tend to notice others bags and backpacks and discuss it. The man took a picture of the backpack. We mildly discussed it and then went on our way. Where my mother asked me to take a picture of the bag as we left...Thus, this picture.

The bag of interest is the " I Would Prefer Not To" It wouldn't be until I got home, That I realized the Man and Woman, Pictured In The back of the line are Author Ransom Riggs and Tahereh Mafi. Ransom, also narrated the panel I attended later in the day, however I would didn't put two and two together because at the Cafe I noticed Mafi more and just knew she was with a taller man. Wasn't until I saw they were in this photo that I could confirm it was Ransom Riggs. Mafi was also, at the panel in the audience, but like I said, not until I got home did I know who she was. 

After that my Mom gave me money and I made my way over to the booth to purchase Elizabeth Eulberg's book. Revenge of the Girl with the Great Personality.  Elizabeth was SO nice (although, I have yet to meet an author who wasn't) We somehow got on the topic of her book covers and we discussed how some came to be, and how she liked some and others she didn't love. What I thought was funny is how she told me, she liked to mess around with her publisher (David Levithan) and tell him she hated certain covers and make him worry for a second before she would text back Just Kidding. We talked for a good 15 minutes or so. She was very nice, and I look forward to reading her other books!

And that will conclude Part 1. This post turned out to be longer than I expected and I know I have  A LOT to say about the Panel. So, I have decided to split it into Part 1 and Part 2.